19 dead,several missing

At least 19 people were killed in flash floods that hit the back hills of the French Riviera on Wednesday and turned streets into rivers of surging,muddy water,officials said. At least 12 people are missing.

Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux,visiting the region,said the death toll unfortunately,may climb.

Eleven of the deaths were in Draguignan in the Riviera back hills scattered with olive groves and small vineyards. The floods swept away cars,trees and parts of houses in a downpour that devastated the picturesque region,a

magnet for tourists.